Transcription of ARCHDIOCESAN-WIDE RETREAT
1 | Week 1 ARCHDIOCESAN-WIDE RETREAT Participant GuideARCHDIOCESAN-WIDE RETREATCHRIST THE KING - CHRISTMAS Participant GuideEach week, these guides are meant to be used by individuals and groups to launch from the Sunday homilies during the archdiocesan RETREAT into prayerful reflection and dialogue. Take this guide to a holy hour, a dinner conversation with your children, or your regular small group as food for reflection and conversation, all based on the previous Sunday s homily. This week launches both our ARCHDIOCESAN-WIDE RETREAT and Discernment Processes. Through these processes, we are seeking to (1) put on a biblical worldview and (2) listen to God s voice for our archdiocese. This week s homily initiated and explained this archdiocesan RETREAT by introducing how this will be having an extraordinary opportunity for every Mass attendee in the Archdiocese of Denver to hear a presentation of the kerygma, the proclamation of what God has done in Jesus Christ and why, which helps us understand better the identity and mission of the Church.
2 The Feast of Christ the King reminds us that Jesus is Lord, and that means no one else is. Hearing his voice and following his will is the path to true human flourishing and joy, but often, it can be difficult to hear that voice in the midst of other influences of the world. This RETREAT is an incredible opportunity to try to hear God speaking in our lives; telling us first about who God says he is and who he says we the core of this week s message is the question: is my mind and heart more shaped by God s voice or the voice of the world? How can I begin seeing everything more in light of a biblical worldview, formed first by the story of salvation? ReadConsider beginning your time of prayer or conversation with reading, prayer and discussion around the below passages from the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
3 With the Scripture, you can use the ancient method of Lectio Divina. WEEK 1: FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING Luke 24:13-35 John 8:12-20 John 10:1-18 Acts 8:26-40 | Week 1 ARCHDIOCESAN-WIDE RETREAT Participant GuideReflect and Write In what ways do I recognize that my vision for reality is informed by the story of salvation and the Gospel message? In my daily life, am I able to see my life and the world through God s perspective? When does that become difficult for me? How is the mission of Jesus articulated and revealed in the above passages from John 18 and John 10? How does Jesus himself understand his mission from the Father? Does this change how I often think of him? Discuss What is your image of God? Where did your image of God come from? Do you believe God still speaks today? Has he ever spoken to you?
4 How do you normally hear his voice? Have you ever had to undergo a period of discernment? How were you able to distinguish God s voice from your own or those of the world? When was the first time you recognized that the story of what God has done in Jesus Christ was true and real? Have you been overwhelmed by that story? Did it happen in a moment or over time? Have you made a decision to surrender your life to God, in faith (CT 25)? PrayJesus, we are open to whatever it is you want to do in our lives and in our archdiocese through this ARCHDIOCESAN-WIDE RETREAT . We want to encounter you in a new way through this and experience your love in a new way. Help us to see ourselves and our lives the way you see us. Help us to see your world the way you see it. Help our weary world to be refreshed in your love. Change our hearts and make us more like you.
5 Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. Go DeeperThese are additional resources to help you continue to engage with this week s theme. Papal Encyclicals on the kerygma: Catechesi Tradendae 25, Redemptoris Missio 44, Evangelii Gaudium 164-165 St. Ignatius of Loyola s Meditation on the Two Standards
